Registering for BCHM 298, 498 or 499 credit

All biochemistry majors are required to do a minimum of 3 credits of BCHM 49800 research as part of their capstone project. Honors students are encouraged to register for BCHM 49900. BCHM 29800 is offered for freshmen and sophomores wanting to get an early start in undergraduate research.

Step 2: (Skip this step if you are working with a Biochemistry professor.) If your professor is from another department, the project needs to be approved by your Biochemistry academic advisor. Write a description of your researchand send it via e-mail to your advisor. He or she may have some follow-up questions for you. It is important to note that this description should be written by student and not by the research supervisor.

Step 3: Discuss with your research supervisor how many hours you will work on the project each week. A minimum of five hours per week in the lab corresponds to 1 unit of credit during a regular 15-week semester. During the 8-week regular summer session, students will earn 1 credit for 10 hours of research per week. During the 4-week Maymester session, students will earn 1 credit for each 20 hours of research per week. In general, one credit requires approximately 75 hours of research. Any activity relevant to the student's research experience (e.g. attending lab meetings, reading necessary literature, etc.) will count toward the approximately 75 hours of work per credit hour.

Step 4: If you have not already done so, you must complete safety training before you can enroll in BCHM 29800, 49800 or 49900, or work in a lab for pay. Review the University’s Chemical Hygiene Plan manual and complete the Online Personal Protective Equipment Training:

Student workers should go to this website and read items 2, 3, 5, 8, 10 & 13. Simply click the word "chem/bio gloves" and read the training (and repeat for each item listed above). Once read, check the box. After you have read each one, fill out the bottom putting your faculty as supervisor with first and last name. Then hit "submit", and print the certification that shows up and sign it and then your faculty supervisor needs to sign it.

Deliver the two completed certificates to the BCHM Main Office (120).

Step 5: Ask your supervisor to e-mail the Biochemistry Undergraduate Program Administrator, Sherry Pogranichniy (spograni@purdue.edu), giving their permission for you to register for BCHM 29800, 49800 or 49900 under their supervision, and indicating the number of credits you should receive. Because this is a variable-credit course requiring instructor permission, Sherry will add the course and credits to your schedule. Please do this before the end of the first week of classes. If not, you will need to take a signed Form 23 to the Registrar’s Office.

Step 6: Download the syllabus so you and your research supervisor have guidelines to follow: